The prevalence and triage characteristics of patients presenting with infection to one tertiary referral hospital

Fry, M; Horvat, L; Roche, M; Fong, J; Plowes, J

The prevalence and triage characteristics of patients presenting with infection to one tertiary referral hospital

Fry, M

Horvat, L Roche, M

Fong, J Plowes, J

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal, 2012, 15 (3), pp. 127 - 132
Issue Date:: 2012-08-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fry, M https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1265-7096	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Horvat, L	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Roche, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3831-537X	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Fong, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Plowes, J	en_US
dc.date.available	2012-06-04	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-08-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal, 2012, 15 (3), pp. 127 - 132	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	1574-6267	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18495
dc.description.abstract	Background: Globally, severe infection and or sepsis is a problem that is costing billions of dollars, using hundreds of hospital beds, and often results in patient death. Any infection can potentially develop a sepsis health trajectory if left unrecognised and unmanaged. Methods: We conducted a 12 month retrospective descriptive exploratory study. Our research explored the prevalence and triage characteristics of patients presenting with infection to one tertiary referral hospital. Electronic medical records were reviewed to identify patients that had a primary diagnosis related to infection. Results: The study identified that 16% (n=7756) of adult presentations had a discharge diagnosis related to infection. A significant difference (X2=297.83, df=4, p≤.001) in Triage Code allocation for the infection group was identified compared with the non-infection patient group. Thirty-nine percent (n=3027) of patients with infections were admitted to hospital. Of the patients (n=1930; 4%) admitted to a critical care area, 6% (n=122) had a primary diagnosis related to infection. Of the ED deaths (n=81), 12% (n=10) had a primary diagnosis related to infection. Conclusion: The study provides a detailed analysis of the prevalence and triage characteristics of patients with infection presenting to one ED. Further research is needed to identify strategies to improve the triage nurse's recognition of severe infection and consistency of urgency code allocation to prevent patient deterioration. © 2012 .	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Australasian Emergency Nursing Journal	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.aenj.2012.06.001	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Nursing	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Infection	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Length of Stay	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Patient Admission	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Prevalence	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Risk Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Retrospective Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Disease Outbreaks	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Age Distribution	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Infection Control	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Middle Aged	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Triage	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Young Adult	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Tertiary Care Centers	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Infections	en_US
dc.title	The prevalence and triage characteristics of patients presenting with infection to one tertiary referral hospital	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	15	en_US
utslib.for	1110 Nursing	en_US
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health/Nursing
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	15	en_US

Abstract:

Background: Globally, severe infection and or sepsis is a problem that is costing billions of dollars, using hundreds of hospital beds, and often results in patient death. Any infection can potentially develop a sepsis health trajectory if left unrecognised and unmanaged. Methods: We conducted a 12 month retrospective descriptive exploratory study. Our research explored the prevalence and triage characteristics of patients presenting with infection to one tertiary referral hospital. Electronic medical records were reviewed to identify patients that had a primary diagnosis related to infection. Results: The study identified that 16% (n=7756) of adult presentations had a discharge diagnosis related to infection. A significant difference (X2=297.83, df=4, p≤.001) in Triage Code allocation for the infection group was identified compared with the non-infection patient group. Thirty-nine percent (n=3027) of patients with infections were admitted to hospital. Of the patients (n=1930; 4%) admitted to a critical care area, 6% (n=122) had a primary diagnosis related to infection. Of the ED deaths (n=81), 12% (n=10) had a primary diagnosis related to infection. Conclusion: The study provides a detailed analysis of the prevalence and triage characteristics of patients with infection presenting to one ED. Further research is needed to identify strategies to improve the triage nurse's recognition of severe infection and consistency of urgency code allocation to prevent patient deterioration. © 2012 .

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/18495